Police confirm rescue of three kidnapped Zamfara clerics

The Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Bello, has confirmed the “rescue of three of the six Islamic clerics kidnapped on September 12 while travelling to Talata Mafara, Zamfara State.”

Bello gave the confirmation in an interview with select reporters on Friday in Gusau.

He said the rescue followed a multi-agency collaboration and seamless synergy between the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS) and police operatives.

The CP said security tactical operations remained ongoing in full force, leveraging real-time intelligence supplied by local community members to track down the remaining armed bandits and ensure the safe rescue of the three clerics still in captivity.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the ONSA, in a high-stakes, intelligence-driven collaboration with the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force, rescued the “three Islamic clerics kidnapped while en route to a special prayer session for President Bola Tinubu in Talata Mafara, Zamfara State.”

According to PUNCH Online, Nigerian Army confirmed the abduction of some Islamic scholars in Zamfara State, while debunking reports that the clerics were kidnapped at the residence of former governor of the state, Abdul’aziz Yari.

The Army said the victims were abducted while travelling from the Sububu forest axis in Bakura Local Government Area to Talata Mafara.

Meanwhile, the police also confirmed in September that it had commenced rescue operation for the abducted clerics.

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The clerics, identified as Imam Yahuza, Magawata Abdullahi, Malam Shehu Dakko, Imam Bala Fagon and Na’ibi Tasi’u, were travelling to Talata Mafara to attend a special prayer gathering to seek divine favour for Tinubu’s administration.

Their abductors had reportedly demanded a N30m ransom for their release.

A senior security operative involved in the extraction also confirmed that the three clerics were rescued unhurt following meticulous, intelligence-led manoeuvres.

NAN learnt that the clerics were in stable condition after receiving medical evaluation and expert debriefing.

The security operatives confirmed that the three clerics were scheduled for formal handover to the Zamfara State Government for reunion with their families.

The police command assured that operations would continue, urging the public to maintain a vigilant flow of timely, actionable information to help flush out terrorist elements across the region.